Folding stool



Sept. 25, 1945. E. A. F. M. NAON 2,385,458

FOLDING STOOL Filed NOV. 25, 1944 Figi. f l Kw2-1 Patented Sept. 25, 1945 UNITED] STATE FOLDING s'rooi.A

Ernesto Alfredo Felix Miranda Nan, j

Buenos Aires, ArgentinaV Application November 25, 1944, Serial No. 565,117

In Argentina October`25, 1944 4 This invention relates to a folding stool and has substantially for an object a stool provided with means for enabling the supporting legs to be totally folded down against the seat portion of the stool, so as to form, in such folded condition, a body of Very small volume, adapted for convenient transport.

Because of its excellent features of construction, the stool which forms the object of this invention, also oiiers several other advantages over the stools of similar type, heretofore known and used.

Other and more specific objects of the invention will more readily appear as the description proceeds.

I also desire it to be clearly understood that although in this specication the invention is shown and described as being applied to a stool, its subject matter is not limited to such a device, as by simply altering its shape and size, it would be suitable for use as a table, chair, folding bed, or other similar folding piece of furniture.

In order that the invention may be readily understood and carried into practice, a preferred embodiment of the same has been shown by way of example in the illustrative drawing which accompanies this specication and wherein:

Figure 1 shows a front elevation of a stool in its unfolded condition or position ready for use, partially sectional on a vertical plane.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same stool in its position of use, partially sectional, on a vertical plane.

Figure 3 is a plan view of below, in its position of use.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal view, partially sectional, of the same stool, in its folded position.

Figure 5 illustrates the same stool in its folded position, seen from one of its ends, and

Figure 6 illustrates a detail of the stooLseen from below, in its folded condition.

In all the said views, similar numbers of reference have been used to indicate like or corresponding parts.

In the form of construction shown, the stool which forms the object of this invention, substantially consists of a board I of wood or the like, to be used as a seat and to the lower side of which are connected by means of suitable hinges, the supporting legs 2, 2' and the lateral stay bars 3, which hold said legs in their mounted or operative position.

When observing the gures, it will also be seen that to each of said legs 2, 2' is secured at their upper edges in a position adjacent to the upper board I, a suitable ledge 4 or 4', respectively, of

the stool, seen from a thickness substantially equal to that of said legs and arranged alternately against the outer and inner surfaces of the same. The hinges 5, 5' for the joint connection of said legs are so arranged that one of them, such as the hinge 5, will join the leg 2 with the seat I, while the opposite hinge 5' will engage between said seat I and the ledge 4' of the leg 2. On-the other hand, the free ends of said legs 2, 2' are formed with notches or cut away parts 6, 6', respectively, for receiving the ledges 4 and 4 of the opposite legs.

In a position perpendicular to said legs 2, 2 and at both sides of the same, are provided longitudinal stay bars 3, above referred to, connected to the board or seat I by means of hinges 1, adapted to allow the stay bars to be swung in an outward direction, the inner sides of the same being formed with slots or grooves 8, 8', respectively, adapted to engage the lateral edges of said legs and thus hold the same in their propped or operative position.

To unfold a stool of the type above described, the legs 2, 2' are unfolded and caused to rotate through an angle of with regard to the seat I, about the hinges 5, 5', respectively, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The swinging motion of said legs is limited by the contact of the ledges 4, 4', on the hinged edges of the legs with the lower surface of said seat I. Under these conditions, the longitudinal stay bars 3 are turned inwards on the hinges 1, until the same are on a plane perpendicular to the seat I, as indicated in Figures 1 to 3, when the lateral edges of the legs 2, 2 will engage with the grooves 8, 8 of said stay bars,

, thereby stopping the rotation of said legs and leaving the stool, in consequence, in its operative position or ready for use.

For folding the stool, the longitudinal stay bars 3 are swung in an outward direction about the hinges 1, as indicated by the arrows and dotted lines in Figure 2, after which the leg 2 is folded inwards on the hinge 5, and on this, the leg 2' is then folded, by turning the same on the hinge 5', so that the leg 2' will cover the leg 2. Thereupon, the ledge 4 of the leg 2' is placed in the notch 6 of the opposite leg 2, while the ledge 4 of this latter will become lodged within the notch 5' of the leg 2', so that elements I, 2 and 2 will be snugly superposed one on another, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, and thus occupy a minimum of space and thus render handling of the stool and transport quite easy. For the convenience of handling, one of the ends of the seat I may suitably be provided with a rotatable handle 9.

From the foregoing description, the nature of this invention will be readily understood and no further explanations will be required, by those skilled in the art. i

It will be evident that several modifications of construction and detail may be introduced, without departing from the scope of this invention, as clearly defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A folding stool, consisting of a seat, to the lower side of which are rotatably secured two supporting legs, provided on their upper edge with,

ledges, alternately secured to their outer and inner surfaces and adapted to become` lodged in notches formed at the lower edges of the opposite legs, for permitting the total folding down of the same, or for limiting their rotation, and two parallel longitudinal stay bars hinged to the lower side of said seat and provided on their inner surfaces with grooves adapted to engage with the lateral edges of said legs when in supporting relation to the 'seat thereby to prevent rswinging movement thereof.

2. A folding stool, comprising a seat, a pair of legs hinged at their upper ends to the underside of the seat for inward swinging movement, a ledge carried by the inner face of one leg and another ledge carried by the outer face of the other leg, each ledge adapted to abut the underside of the seat when the legs are swung to upright position, said legs each having notches at their lower ends for clearing the ledge of the opposite leg when the legs are folded against the underside of the v seat, stay bars hinged to the underside of the seat and swingable from an inoperative position against the underside of the seat to an angular position parallel to the edges of the legs and having means for engaging the latter when in the last-mentioned position to lock said legs in an upright position.

ERNESTO ALFREDO FELIX P MIRANDA NAON. 

